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Another major cruise line is out with an early Black Friday deal that brings big savings

Nov. 11, 2022
3 min read
(Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)
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Celebrity Cruises is the latest cruise line to bring out a Black Friday deal well in advance of the popular shopping day.

The line's new Black Friday promotion, which debuted Friday, will let you bring a companion on a cruise for just 25% of the amount it would normally cost — as long as you put down a deposit in the next 21 days.

The buy-one-get-one-75%-off promotion brings a 75% discount on the second person staying in a cabin for most Celebrity sailings booked by Dec. 1.

In addition, as part of the offer, customers can get up to $200 per person in onboard credit when booking.

Celebrity's Black Friday deal

The offer is available for nearly all Celebrity sailings scheduled to depart between December 2022 and April 2025.

Among the caveats:

  • The offer isn't available for sailings in the Galapagos.
  • Only fares that come with a nonrefundable deposit are eligible for the 75%-off savings.

Cruisers who book refundable deposit rates are still eligible for a discount on the fare for the second person in a cabin as part of the promotion but only at a 60% discount.

Note that nonrefundable deposit bookings canceled prior to the date when the final payment is due are eligible for a refund in the form of a future cruise credit, minus a $100-per-person service fee.

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Onboard credit

'The onboard credit available with the promotion is $200 per person for cruises of 10 nights or longer. Passengers booking sailings of six to nine nights will get a $100 credit per person.

Sailings of three to five nights bring a credit of $50 per person.

Related: This single Amex offer could cover half the cost of your cruise

Discounted fares

Including the 75% discount on a second passenger in a room, fares available during the promotion start at $168 per person for a three-night cruise. Seven-night sailings start at $599 per person, including the 75%-off discount.

Celebrity's Black Friday deal is launching just two days after rival Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled a similar early Black Friday offer that will let you bring a companion on a cruise for free.

The offers come amid heavy discounting by a number of lines for close-in sailings, in particular. Some lines in recent weeks have offered fall cruises for as little as $26 per day, and one line this week was selling seven-night Europe sailings for just $180. That's not per day, but for the entire cruise.

Other lines have been promoting soon-to-depart cruises in recent weeks by throwing in free tours worth thousands of dollars.

The offers have prompted many travel industry watchers to say cruising is the best value in travel right now.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by CELEBRITY CRUISES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.